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Yekaterina Nezhentseva, from Urengoy in Russia, suffers from a genetic disorder she inherited from her mother that prematurely ages her.
Even as a baby she appeared far older than her age. In 2011 she underwent complex plastic surgery which improved her appearance.
Although doctors have warned the 23-year-old and her ex-husband, Dennis Parshikov (33), against having children they have two children – Gleb (4) and Misha (2).
"Doctors were trying to convince me not to give birth, as they were afraid that the child would inherit my disease. But he [her son] was born healthy."
Though her relationship with Dennis was loving at first, Yekaterina reveals that he started beating her after he began drinking.
"When he was drunk he’d raise a hand to me. He had to release his aggression on someone.
“The first time he hit me, I didn’t say anything and decided not to tell my mother about it.
“He realised that I wouldn’t tell anyone about it. He would punch me in the face," she said.
Yekaterina says her family were confused at first when they discovered her youngest child, who has the same genetic disorder, looked like her.
"They were really ashamed of the baby," she says.
Yekaterina, who hopes to find love in the future again, says she has an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, and that he talks to their children on Skype.
Source: Magazine Features
Pictures: CATERS/WWW.MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA
